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VRAs: Traffic, Threat, & Response Awareness

The establishment of the new MDAT-GOG reporting "network" in the Gulf of Guinea and the associated changes to UKHO chart Q6114, have raised odd questions about the definitions and purpose of risk and reporting areas associated with maritime piracy. In general terms, these areas are meant to help establish situational awareness of maritime traffic, threats and response options to help vulnerable shipping vessels. A number of different areas or zones have been established in regions affected by piracy around the world, including Voluntary Reporting Areas (VRAs), High Risk Areas (HRAs), and War Risk Listed Areas (WRAs), along with other more specialized zones. These terms are frequently used interchangeably, which distorts the purpose of the different areas and creates confusion. This paper is intended to provide clarity on the differences between these zones, and their implications for stakeholders.